Bucs designate Japanese pitcher

Masumi Kuwata may choose to retire instead.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

PITTSBURGH — Masumi Kuwata, the 39-year-old former Japanese star who finally reached his goal this season of pitching in the major leagues, was designated for assignment Tuesday by the Pirates.

The Pirates have 10 days to trade him, release him or send him to the minors outright. He has been offered a spot at Triple-A Indianapolis but may choose to retire.

The Pirates also put catcher-outfielder Ryan Doumit on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained wrist and shifted left-hander Zach Duke (elbow) from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. They also purchased the contracts of infielder Matt Kata and catcher Carlos Maldonado from Indianapolis.

Doumit was hurt while trying to catch a fly ball Monday night against San Francisco.

Cardinals

MILWAUKEE — Second baseman Adam Kennedy had arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee Tuesday and will miss a minimum of six weeks.

The injury may end what has been a disappointing first season for Kennedy with the reigning World Series champions.

Kennedy will begin the rehabilitation process in California and return to St. Louis when he is able to resume on-field activities.

Kennedy said on Sunday that the knee had been bothering him for several days, and an MRI exam confirmed the injury.

“I knew it wasn’t good,” Kennedy said. “When you play sports long enough you know what hurts and what’s injured.”

Kennedy has struggled all year after signing a free-agent contract with the Cardinals, batting .219 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 87 games. But he had been playing better lately.

Red Sox

BOSTON — Reliever Brendan Donnelly underwent “Tommy John” reconstructive surgery on his right elbow Tuesday, sidelining him at least through most of next season. The Red Sox said it went as expected and that the right-hander would rejoin Boston in several weeks for a follow up examination. He is expected to be sidelined 12-18 months.

Dodgers

LOS ANGELES — Third baseman Nomar Garciaparra was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left calf muscle. Garciaparra said the injury has plagued him for more than a week. Garciaparra is hitting .280 with six home runs and 57 RBIs in 110 games. He began the season at first base, then was shifted to third because of a lack of offense at that position and the emergence of first baseman James Loney.

Nationals

WASHINGTON — Right-hander Shawn Hill was activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to Tuesday night’s game against Philadelphia. Hill, who started the game, had been placed on the disabled list May 14, retroactive to May 12, because of a strained left shoulder.

Braves

ATLANTA — After going 7 1/2 weeks without getting tossed, Bobby Cox finally passed John McGraw for the most ejections in baseball history Tuesday night. Cox was thrown out by home-plate umpire Ted Barrett for arguing a called third strike on Chipper Jones to end the fifth inning against the Giants. It was the 132nd ejection of Cox’s career, eclipsing the mark that McGraw set during his Hall of Fame career.